Labels

Friday, 10 May 2013

Soursop And Health Benefits

The soursop (or graviola, in Portugese) is a green fruit with the sweet, creamy white pulp. It is a delicious fruit staple in the tropics and have health and medicinal benefits too. Native to South America and sub-Saharan parts of Africa, soursop is also cultivated throughout Southeast Asia and many parts of the Caribbean. It tends to flower and fruit on a continual basis.

Packed with B vitamins, vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, and healthy fats and carbohydrates, as well as protein, soursop fruit is also cholesterol free and low in calories, making it an ideal snack. But, be sure not to overdo it - approximately a cup a day is sufficient to obtain the health benefits of this amazing fruit.

The leaf can be used to make tea. A leaf or two is enough for one person. Just boil the leaf in water for a few minutes. It helps to remedy gall bladder trouble, coughs, catarrh, dysentery, fever, and indigestion.

The juice of the fruit can be taken orally. It helps the kidney and liver.

Mashed leaves can be used as a poultice to alleviate eczema and other skin problems. These crushed leaves can be applied to skin eruptions and wounds to promote faster healing.

The root bark is used as an antidote for poisoning.

Soursop has high potassium, essential for maintaining the nervous system.

Thiamin, the B vitamin that is needed in aerobic energy production is found in the fruit and helps the body produce energy.